Virginia Film Festival

In eighteenth century France, the elusive Héloïse has rejected her mother’s previous attempts to commission a wedding portrait out of her resistance to marriage. As a result, Marianne–the most recent artist–must masquerade as a lady’s maid during the day to paint her subject from memory by night. As the portrait materializes, an unlikely relationship blossoms between the two women as Héloïse enjoys her last moments of untethered bliss. This living, breathing oil masterpiece pairs breathtaking cinematography with standout performances from Haenel and Merlant to craft a poignant reflection on womanhood, romance, and queer identity that rings true today. Introduction by Deborah McGrady (UVA)

Presented by C-VILLE Weekly

This film is part of the LGBTQIA+ series presented by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts and supported by the UVA Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the UVA Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, and UVA Arts: supported by the Office of the Provost & the Vice Provost for the Arts